Rug cleaner



E. KLUMB RUG CLEANER April 7, 1964 Filed Aug. 5, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Emil Klumb BY WK Qw/QW ATTORNEYS E. KLUMB RUG CLEANER A ril 7, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1959 N QR INVENTOR Emil K/umb M X 9 W ATTORNEYS E. KLUMB RUG CLEANER A ril 7, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 5, 1959 INVENTOR Emil K/umb ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,127,628 RUG QLIEANER Emil Klumb, Middle Village, N.Y., assignor to Modern Spacernaster Products, Inc. Filed Aug. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 831,789 '7 Gaines. (Cl. 5ii) This invention relates to an improved rug cleaner.

An object of the invention is to provide a rug cleaner using a chemical which while applying the chemical also actually removes the dirt upon the rug or carpet.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for controlling the flow of chemical to the rollers applying such chemical to the rug or carpet.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for applying the chemical to the rug or carpet uniformly and to prevent the fluid applying means from becoming clogged with dirt, lint and the like which would prevent the chemical applying means from absorbing any further cleaning fluid.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a construction whereby there is no necessity for manually removing and cleaning the chemical applying means which is usually unsatisfactory and inefficient.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction whereby the chemical applying means are maintained constantly clean so that their efiiciency is maintained.

With the above and other objects in view which will become apparent from the detailed description below, a preferred modification of the invention is shown in the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the rug and carpet cleaning apparatus.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken upon section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows with parts broken away so as to more clearly show the construction.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken upon section line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows with parts broken away so as to disclose the construction more clearly, and

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view with parts shown in section.

Referring to FIGURE 1 the casing or housing for the various elements is indicated at 1 and the liquid chemical container is shown at 2. A valve 3 with an indicator 28 for regulating the flow of chemical is located on top of the tank 2 and such valve as shown in FIGURE 1 may be positioned at the various openings indicated from a fully opened position to a fully closed position and at any intermediate points thereon. A cap t closes the opening for supplying chemical to the container 2 and a rubber bumper or the like 6 entirely encircles the casing 1. The bale 41 is provided with a T connection 5 into which a handle may be screwed in the usual manner for operating the apparatus over the rug or carpet. The bale 41 is secured to the casing 1 by means of the pivot 25. In order to maintain the bale and handle in a desired upright position when the apparatus is not in use the bale 41 is provided adjacent the pivot with a recess 42 Which cooperates with a protuberance 27 provided upon the casing 1 as more particularly shown in FIGURE 2.

The carpet sweeping elements will now be described. These elements are substantially the same as shown in my Patent No. 2,745,125 granted May 15, 1956. The revolving brush is shown at 1'7 and fixed to the shaft thereof is a corrugated collar 17a. The collar or roller 17a coacts with the four rollers 18a whose shafts are mounted in the partitions 16 extending transversely of the housing 1. A comb 26 as shown particularly in "ice FIGURE 2 cooperates with the brush 17 in order to clean the same and remove lint and the like therefrom. The shaft of the brush 17 is provided with a stud 25 which extends through the casing 1 at each side thereof and to which the bale 41 is pivoted.

As shown more particularly in FIGURE 3, a dust pan 14 is pivotally mounted by the studs 15 in the partition 16 at the front and rear of the housing 1. The dust pans 14 are maintained in the closed position as shown in FIGURE 3 or in the open position by means of the spring 2!} located at each side of the cleaner. The spring 20 is formed as shown in FIGURE 3 with the upper end thereof extending through a loop 39 which passes through the slot 24 provided in each partition 16 and the loop 39 is formed in the spring 20a located between the partitions 16 and the housing 1 with the roller ends thereof bearing against the axles 19 of the wheels 18a. The dust pans 14 due to the location of the pivots 15 and the ends of the springs 20 may be positioned fixedly in either the open or closed position by passing the pivot point 15.

Mounted upon each dust pan 14 by means of the longitudinal grooves 45 and the flanges 46 are the housings 13 for the chemical rollers 12.

The partitions 16 are secured to the interior of the housing 1 by means of the mounting lugs 21 and the rivets 22. The housing 1 is also provided with an outwardly directed flange 23 to which the rubber bumper 6 may be attached and with which the outward ends of the dust pans 14 cooperate as shown in FIGURE 3.

The chemical cleaning elements and the means for securing the uniform flow of the chemical used upon the chemical applying rollers 12 and the means for maintaining such rollers clean at all times will now be described. The tank 2 is positioned at the top of the housing 1 and is provided with a valve construction 3 comprising the handle 28 for regulating the flow of liquid, a valve housing 7 containing the valve stem 8. The valve stem 3 is provided at its lower portion with a bore 47 as shown in FIGURE 3 and communicating therewith is a bore 8a in the stem 8 which cooperates with a bore 7a in the valve housing 7. A rotation of the valve stem 8 with respect to the valve housing 7 will control the flow of liquid from the tank 2 into the bore 7. Screwed upon the lower end of the housing 7 is a T-shaped valve connecting T 9 having a bore 48 communicating with the bore 47.

Attached to the T 9 at each end are the plastic tubes 19 and 16a. These plastic tubes extend forwardly and rearwardly to the liquid distribution tube 11 as shown more particularly in FIGURE 2 and are secured to the nozzles d? provided upon each distribution tube 11 which is located above the chemical applying rollers 12. Each distribution tube 11 is provided at the lower side thereof with the fine openings 11a for supplying the chemical used to the applying rollers 12. The control valve 3 together with the tubes 11 permits the proper and uniform application of chemicals to the rollers 12.

The housing 13 for the rollers 12 may pivot about the tubes 11 when the dust pans are actuated in order to empty the same.

Fixed upon the lower side of each dust pan adjacent the outlet end thereof is a resilient or spring like flange 14b in which are clamped the portions 14a for cleaning the chemical applying rollers 12. The brushes 14a will maintain the rollers 12 in suitable condition for always absorbing the chemical used so that at all times there will be a uniform application of chemicals to the rug or carpet being cleaned and thereby prevent the unequal and nonuniform application of chemicals to the rug or carpet.

The construction set forth above comprises a new com bination machine which will shampoo and sweep at the same time and which may also be used for cleaning and sweeping hard surfaces such as linoleum and the like. It is also constructed sturdily and simply so as to require practically no tools for the assembly or dismounting of the same. The partitions are provided with slots so that the springs, wheels, axles, dust pans, etc. may be quickly assembled in the housing. The slots provided are so arranged together with the spring means provided so that wear on the tires and brush collars are automatically adjusted in order to maintain their efiiciency.

As a rule the bale handle 41 is arranged so as to swing at least l85 so that the machine may go under low furniture in order to clean such places The liquid fir-om the tank 2 is gravity fed through the valve 3 to the distributor tubes 11 which are positioned over the absorbent rollers 12 so as to spread the liquid evenly thereon and in controlled quantities. This is extremely important since it prevents large amounts of liquid from reaching the rug or carpet spasmodically whereby one area thereof will receive more than is needed and another area will not receive a sufiicient quantity.

The amount of liquid fed to the absorbent rollers 12 may be very closely control-led and the motion of the machine forwardly and backwardly will cause the liquid to foam and penetrate the rug or carpet evenly. The revolving brush 17 will work the cleaning liquid into the nap of the rug or carpet and at the same time will sweep the rug or carpet with a brushing action.

Fine dirt particles become embedded in rugs and carpets and these particles are loosened up and removed by the combination action of the revolving portion and cleaning liquid. 'I his loose dirt and the results of the action of the cleaning liquid are swept into the dust pans 14 so that a complete cleaning process is performed at one time. The machine carries out a double acting shampooing, cleaning and sweeping act-ion. As indicated above the machine will operate similarly upon hard surface floors.

Any dirt or lint or the like that adheres to the brush 17 is cleaned therefrom by the comb 26 at the top of the housing. Absorbent rollers which are generally used for the application of cleaning liquid become embedded with dirt, lint, and the like and lose their efficiency fairly rapidly. In the construction described above, portions 14a continually and automatically clean the rollers 12 so that their eflicency does not degenerate. The dirt cleaned off the rollers 12 by the brushes 14a is on the following stroke swept into the dust pans 14 by the revolving brush 17. This construction eliminates the necessity of replacing the rollers or laboriously cleaning them by hand at very frequent intervals. It also avoids the gradual reduction in the efiiciency of the absorbent rollers 12 in applying the cleaning liquid to the area which is to be cleaned.

The machine will shampoo and sweep rugs and carpets. It will also clean its own brush and its own cleaning liquid applicators and will collect all this dirt in the dust pans automatically and at one time as it is being pushed back and forth over the floor. The dirt collected in the dust pans can be easily removed by opening the dust pans in the usual manner. This completes the cleaning cycle.

It is thought that the invention and its advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it is apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A rug and carpet cleaner comprising a housing, means mounted in said housing for sweeping a rug or carpet, means also mounted in said housing for applying a chemical cleaner to said rug or carpet, said means for applying a chemical cleaner comprising a tank for containing a chemical mounted upon said housing, absorbent rollers for applying said chemical to the area to be cleaned,

means for controlling the flow of chemical from said tank to said rollers, plastic tubes extending from said tank to said rollers, a distribution tube having distribution apertures therein located immediately above said rollers and secured to said plastic tubes, and a housing for said rollers and dust pans cooperating with said rollers and said sweeping means for removing dirt, lint and the like.

2. A rug and carpet cleaner comprising a housing, means mounted in said housing for sweeping a rug of carpet, means also mounted in said housing for applying a chemical cleaner to said rug or carpet, said means for applying a chemical cleaner comprising a tank for containing a chemical mounted upon said housing, absorbent rollers for applying said chemical to the area to be cleaned, means for controlling the flow of chemical from said tank to said rollers, plastic tubes extending from said tank to said rollers, a distribution tube having distribution apertures therein located immediately above said rollers and secured to said plastic tubes, and a housing for said rollers and dust pans cooperating with said rollers and said sweeping means for removing dirt, lint and the like, said housing for said rollers being mounted upon said dust pans and said distribution tube being located between said last named housing and said rollers.

3. A rug and carpet cleaner comprising a housing, means mounted in said housing for sweeping a rug or carpet, means also mounted in said housing for applying a chemical cleaner to said rug or carpet, means for continually cleaning said means for applying a chemical cleaner, pivotally mounted dust pans mounted in said housing cooperating with said sweeping means and said chemical cleaner means.

4. A rug and carpet cleaner comprising a housing, means mounted in said housing for sweeping a rug or carpet, means also mounted in said housing for applying a chemical cleaner to said rug or carpet, means for continually cleaning said means for applying a chemical cleaner, a tank mounted on said housing containing the chemical used by said chemical cleaning means, means connected to said tank for applying said chemical uniformly to said chemical cleaner means and pivotally mounted dust p ans mounted in said housing cooperating with said sweeping means and said chemical cleaner means.

5. A rug and carpet cleaner comprising a housing, means mounted in said housing for sweeping a rug or carpet, means also mounted in said housing for applying a chemical cleaner to said rug or carpet, absorbent rollers for applying said chemical cleaner, means for automatically continually cleaning said rollers and pivotally mounted dust pans mounted in said housing cooperating with said sweeping means and said chemical cleaner means.

6. A rug and carpet cleaner comprising a housing, means mounted in said housing for sweeping a rug or carpet, means also mounted in said housing for applying a chemical cleaner to said rug or carpet, means for continually cleaning said means for applying a chemical cleaner, a tank for containing a chemical mounted upon said housing, absorbent rollers for applying said chemical to the area to be cleaned, means for controlling the ilow of chemical from said tank to said rollers and pivotally mounted dust pans mounted in said housing cooperating with said sweeping means and said chemical cleaner means.

7. A rug and carpet cleaner comprising a housing, means mounted in said housing for sweeping a rug or carpet, means also mounted in said housing for applying a chemical cleaner to said rug or carpet, means for continually cleaning said means for applying a chemical cleaner, a tank for containing a chemical mounted upon said housing, absorbent rollers for applying said chemical to the area to be cleaned, means for controlling the flow of chemical from said tank to said rollers, plastic tubes extending trom said tank to said rollers, a distribution tube having distribution apertures therein located immediately above said rollers and secured to said plastic tubes and pivotally mounted dust pans mounted in said housing cooperating with said sweeping means and said chemical cleaner means. 5

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Blakeslee Dec. 18, 1917 Radimak May 30, 19 22 Wiener Aug. 24, 1926 Hendricks Oct. 4, 1927 Rubin Mar. 20, 1945 Klum-b May 15, 1956 Linenfelser Feb. 28, 19611 Yonkers et al Mar. 28, 196 1 FOREIGN PATENTS France Ian. 7, 1931 

1. A RUG AND CARPET CLEANER COMPRISING A HOUSING, MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING FOR SWEEPING A RUG OR CARPET, MEANS ALSO MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING FOR APPLYING A CHEMICAL CLEANER TO SAID RUG OR CARPET, SAID MEANS FOR APPLYING A CHEMICAL CLEANER COMPRISING A TANK FOR CONTAINING A CHEMICAL MOUNTED UPON SAID HOUSING, ABSORBENT ROLLERS FOR APPLYING SAID CHEMICAL TO THE AREA TO BE CLEANED, MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF CHEMICAL FROM SAID TANK TO SAID ROLLERS, PLASTIC TUBES EXTENDING FROM SAID TANK TO SAID ROLLERS, A DISTRIBUTION TUBE HAVING DISTRIBUTION APERTURES THEREIN LOCATED IMMEDIATELY ABOVE SAID ROLLERS AND SECURED TO SAID PLASTIC TUBES, AND A HOUSING FOR SAID ROLLERS AND DUST PANS COOPERATING WITH SAID ROLLERS AND SAID SWEEPING MEANS FOR REMOVING DIRT, LINT AND THE LIKE. 